Santander Bank appointed James Uehlinger region president of its Metro New York/Northern New Jersey region.

With more than 30 years of leadership experience in branch management, business banking and finance, Uehlinger will oversee all sales and services in more than 160 retail branches located across seven counties in northern and central New Jersey and the five New York City boroughs.

Uehlinger came to Santander after more than 20 years with JPMorgan Chase, where he held numerous positions of increasing responsibility across several divisions, many in the New York and New Jersey area. As market director, he led the retail markets in Manhattan and Bergen County, NJ and was responsible for 10% annual growth in deposit and investment balances for three consecutive years.

He also served as Business Banking market manager, where he oversaw a team of 15 area managers and 180 business bankers in the Long Island, Manhattan, Tri-State and Chicago markets. Prior to these and several other senior positions at JPMorgan Chase, he led operations in both the public and non-profit sectors in management roles at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and in health care management in Boston.

“Jim has an exceptional track record of managing successful branch networks and high-performing teams, while growing large, complex businesses,” Amir Madjlessi, interim managing director of Santander Bank’s Retail Network, said. “He is a natural fit for the Consumer and Business Banking’s regional leadership team.”

Santander Bank’s retail network is divided into four regions across the northeast, each of which is overseen by a region president reporting to Madjlessi.